Чума
Part II
But,suddenlybecomingconsciousofakindofincarcerationbeneaththelidoftheskyinwhichsummerwasbeginningtocrackle,theyfeltinsomevaguewaythatthisconfinementthreatenedtheirwholelives,and,wheneveningcame,thecoolbroughtrenewedenergyandsometimesdrovethemtodesperateactions.
Firstofall,whetherornotbycoincidence,itwasfromthatSundayonwardsthatasortoffeararosethatwasgeneralenoughanddeepenoughforonetosuspectthatthepeopleofthetownwerereallystartingtobecomeawareoftheirsituation.Fromthatpointofview,theclimateinwhichwelivedherewassomewhataltered.Butwasthechangereallyintheclimateorinpeople’sheartsandminds:thatwasthequestion.
AfewdaysafterthesermonRieux,discussingtheeventwithGrandastheywalkedtowardsthesuburbs,ranintoamanwhowasswayingaroundinfrontofthemwithoutmakinganyefforttogoforwards.Atthatverymomentthestreetlamps,whichwerelightinguplaterandlaterinthetown,suddenlycameon.Thehighlamprightbehindthetwomensuddenlylitupthestrangerwhowaslaughingnoiselessly,withhiseyesshut.Downhispaleface,contortedbythissilentmirth,sweatwaspouringinlargedrops.Theywalkedpasthim.
"Amadman,"saidGrand.
Rieux,whohadjusttakenhisarmtoleadhimforward,feltthattheclerkwastremblingwithannoyance.
"Soontherewillonlybemadpeopleinourtown,"Rieuxsaid.
